Turkish strikes kill 18 civilians in Syrian Kurdistan, SDF says

Turkish strikes kill 18 civilians in Syrian Kurdistan, Kurdish forces say — A Turkish strike hit a crowded market in the Sarrin area of Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), killing 18 civilians. January 28, 2025. Photo: ANF

QAMISHLO,— The US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reported on Tuesday that two days of Turkish airstrikes killed at least 18 civilians in Syrian Kurdistan, also known as Rojava.

According to SDF spokesman Farhad Shami, a Turkish strike targeted a bustling market in the Sarrin area on Tuesday, leaving 12 people dead.

Earlier shelling in two other locations on Monday and Tuesday claimed six more civilian lives. Shami shared the updated toll with Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, stated that 521 people have been killed in the broader conflict since December. Among the dead are 56 civilians, 77 SDF fighters, and 388 Turkish-backed Syrian Islamist mercenary forces.

This latest escalation follows Turkey’s intensified military campaign against the SDF, which began in November. Turkish-backed Syrian Islamist factions have captured several Kurdish areas in northern Syria, despite U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to establish a ceasefire.

The SDF, which played a crucial role in defeating the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria by 2019, is primarily composed of the People’s Protection Units (YPG). Ankara accuses the YPG of being an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group outlawed in Turkey. The YPG has repeatedly denied these claims.

A Kurdish child injured by Turkish strikes in Syrian Kurdistan, January 28, 2025. Photo: ANHA

Analysts suggest that Turkey is leveraging these accusations to justify an invasion of Syrian Kurdistan and dismantle the autonomous administration established by Syrian Kurds.

This Kurdish-led autonomous administration has earned widespread respect from Western governments for its effective governance and commitment to inclusive policies. It operates under a secular, decentralized system of self-rule that prioritizes equality equality, direct democracy, and environmental sustainability.

The conflict has drawn international attention. Earlier this month, former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was working to address Turkey’s concerns while discouraging further aggression against the SDF. Blinken’s successor,

Marco Rubio, echoed this sentiment in a recent call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and inclusive transition in Syria, according to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.

Turkey remains wary of any Kurdish autonomy along its southern border, fearing it could embolden separatist movements among its Kurdish population, which numbers over 23 million, analysts say.

Turkey continues to deny constitutional recognition of its own Kurdish community, further complicating the regional dynamics.

(With files from AFP | Agencies)